UK ‘hypocritical on terror’ by not banning MKO campaign meetings
A meeting was even held in the House of Lords in support of the MKO on the "very day London was bombed" in July
(Massoud Shadjareh, Chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC))
London, October 11, 2005 – The British government was accused Tuesday of being ‘hypocritical on terror’ by failing to use existing legislation against proscribed groups, like the Mojahedin-e Khalq terrorist group.
"Double-standards involved in the policing of proscribed organisations, and in particular, the refusal to enforce the law against non-Islamic groups," chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Massoud Shadjareh said.
His condemnation came after Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced proposals on Monday to ban 15 more organizations under the country’s Terrorism Act 2000.
It coincided with the MKO, which is already a proscribed terrorist group in the UK, being allowed holding its latest campaign meeting in London under its so-called front group, the National Council of Resistance.
Under the Act, anyone openly promoting or expressing support for outlawed terrorist groups face the prospect of being prosecuted. The police also have powers to seize assets and arrest those who threaten violence for political, religious or ideological causes.
Shadjareh said that a meeting was even held in the House of Lords in support of the MKO on the "very day London was bombed" in July.
He also accused the British group of being "Islamophobic" in listing 15 more organization involved in terrorism abroad, when he listed only Muslim groups.
"The double-standards are again exposed as not a single Zionist or Hindu extremist group has been listed," the IHRC chairman said.
"It is very telling that Mr Clarke has not moved to proscribe terrorist groups, such as Kach and Kahane Chai, even though they have been banned in the US, and in Israel itself," he said.
